Looking for alternatives: ANP seeks debate on Kalabagh Dam

Submits adjournment motion at the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretariat.

The Awami National Party (ANP) submitted an adjournment motion against the Kalabagh Dam at the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretariat on Monday. The motion, submitted by ANP MPA Syed Jafar Shah, seeks a debate on the issue in the assembly. A press release issued by the Bacha Khan Markaz (ANP’s headquarters), said the construction of Kalabagh Dam will be disastrous for Pukhtuns who are willing to render all sacrifices to stop the dam’s construction. The statement said the dam will adversely affect agricultural lands in Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda and Peshawar, and also render the lands of Sindh barren. The motion stresses upon exploring alternate options for production of electricity in the province. Three provincial assemblies have passed resolutions against the dam and any step towards its construction will be tantamount to violation of the assemblies’ mandate, the press release stated.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2013.